Comment

Preferred Options for Sites

Representation ID: 64010

Received: 29/04/2014

Respondent: Sworders

Representation Summary:

The proposed allocations or reserve sites have not been discussed with traveller communities which is a key requirements of the Government's "Planning policy for traveller sites"

The Council does not intend to own or manage Gypsy & Traveller sites itself but intends for the Gypsies and Travellers to purchase the sites themselves. The consultation document only states that this decision has been reached by observing the experience of other Local Authorities, as opposed to meaningful discussion with the Gypsies and Travellers themselves of even the other Local Authorities from whose experience they refer.

Full text:

One of the key requirements of the Government's "Planning policy for traveller sites" is to co-operate with travellers, their representative bodies and local support groups and early and effective community engagement with both settled and traveller communities.
There is no evidence to suggest that any of the proposed allocations or reserve sites have been discussed with traveller communities.

This is particularly pertinent in light of the fact that the Council does not intend to own or manage Gypsy & Traveller sites itself but intends for the Gypsies and Travellers to purchase the sites themselves. The consultation document only states that this decision has been reached by observing the experience of other Local Authorities, as opposed to meaningful discussion with the Gypsies and Travellers themselves of even the other Local Authorities from whose experience they refer.